So my husband and I are planning to go on a holiday for Easter and before we do I need to get a new passport as my old one has expired.
The process for changing my name and gender for my passport here is really easy. I could get it all done within a week once I decide to.
I've been presenting as male pretty much full time since I came out to my husband in Oct/Nov last year but I'm only officially out to a few people and the majority of people I deal with regularly just think I'm a tomboy. I'm pre everything but I usually seem to pass ok in public, at least until people hear me speak, so I was thinking that it would be better if my passport reflected the gender people see at first glance.
Also - it's pretty expensive to get a passport and I don't want to get one now with my birth name and sex and then have to do it over again before this one expires - I will definitely want to do this before the 5 years is up.
Once I officially changed my name I would probably choose to come out, at least to my family and work. I was thinking that this way I could just switch my name with everything and everyone at the same time.
So my questions are:
Do you think it's too soon to take this step?
Once I change my name officially am I allowed to keep using my birth name for a while until it's convenient to come out?
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
